Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics II Experiment No.

7
Laboratory Report

Name: Cabintoy, Denver Brex R. Rating: __________________

Course and Year: BSCE – 4
Subject: CE 411BL
Schedule: Saturday 7:30 – 10:30 AM Instructor: Engr. Alex H. Melchor

EXPERIMENT NO. 7
DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT USING VENTURI METER

1. Objective: To determine the discharge of the liquid flow through the venture meter.
2. Equipment/Apparatus:
Cussons Venturi Flow Apparatus
Hydraulic Bench
Bucket, graduated cylinder, and stop watch
3. Theory
The venturi meter is a flow measuring device which consists of a pipe, which converges
to a throat and then diverges to the original diameter. The difference between the pressure head
at the mouth and the throat can be measured by piezometers, as shown in the figure below.

Apply Bernoulli’s Equation between points 1 and 2 using the axis of the meter as datum
and neglecting losses,
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics II Experiment No. 7
Laboratory Report

From continuity equation

Combining eqs. (1) and (2)

From the above equation, V1 is the theoretical velocity.

The theoretical discharge, Qt, can be obtained by multiplying the area, A 1 by the
theoretical velocity, V1. The actual discharge, Qa = CQt. Therefore C = Qa / Qt where C is the
coefficient of discharge.

4. Description of Cussons Venturi Flow Apparatus

The Cussons Venturi Flow Apparatus type P6116 allows the flow rates and pressure
distribution through a venturi to be examined. The action of a venturi as a pump can also be
demonstrated. The main passage is formed from three sections of rigid transparent plastic tube
cemented together. A parallel bore section 20 mm in diameter and 100 mm long is followed by a
convergent section in which the bore is reduced to 10 mm. A divergent section is then fitted in
which the bore expands to 20 mm diameter. The whole assembly is supported in four plastic
blocks which house the four joints in the passage. At the inlet and outlet are flanged joints to the
supply pipe and control valve respectively. The control valve on the outlet is a screw down type
permitting a fine degree of pressure and flow regulation. At each change of section, a drilling
ismade through the support block into the main passage to provide a manometer tapping point.
The upper ends of the manometer tubes are joined to a manifold which can be pressurized.
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics II Experiment No. 7
Laboratory Report

This enables high pressures to be compared which would normally force the water off the
end of the manometer scale. The manifold is pressurized via a cycle tyre valve by use of the
cycle tyre air pump provided with this apparatus.

Pressurizing Valve
manometer manifold scale

Venturi passage control valve

5. Measurements to be Made
The following information is essential for analysis
 difference of pressure heads
 cross-sectional area at the inlet and the throat
6. Experimental Procedure
1) The Venturi meter apparatus was mounted on top of the hydraulic bench. The water
supply hose was connected to the water supply tank.
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics II Experiment No. 7
Laboratory Report

2) The dimensions and diameters of the inlet and throat of the Venturi meter indicated on
the base of the apparatus were noted.
3) The pump was turned on and the valve was slowly opened to allow water to pass through
the Venturi meter and the valve was adjusted to a desired level of flow rate.
4) The water levels in the manometers were allowed to stabilize and their heights with
respect to the axis of the Venturi meter were noted.
5) A sufficient amount of water that passed through the Venturi meter was collected and the
time of collection was noted.
6) Three trials were performed but different levels of discharge were used in each trial.

7. Presentation of the Results/Calculations:

Pressure head (m) Pipe

Cross-
Actual Theoretical
Trial sectional
Velocity h (cm) Velocity
No. Inlet Throat Outlet Area
(m/s) (m/s)
(x10-4
m2)
1 0.432 0.11 0.325 3.14 0.79 0.47 0.78
2 0.348 0.086 0.252 3.14 0.75 0.43 0.75
3 0.265 0.062 0.197 3.14 0.67 0.34 0.67

Venturi Actual Venturi

Theoretical Venturi
Meter Volume Meter Coefficient
Volume Time to Volume Meter
Trial Inlet Flow Flow of
Collected, Collect, Flow Rate, Head
No. Area Rate, Qa Rate Discharge
V (m3) t (s) Qt (x10- Loss
(x10- (x10-4 4 3 Error , Cd
4 2 3 m /s) (cm)
m) m /s) (%)
1 0.785 0.006 24.27 2.47 2.45 0.82 0.15 1.01
2 0.785 0.006 25.42 2.36 2.36 0 0.17 1.0
3 0.785 0.006 28.6 2.10 2.10 0 0.14 1.0

Average Value of Cd = 1.003

Pipe diameter = 20mm
Throat diameter = 10mm
= 0.25π (0.02)2 = 3.14 x 10-4 m2
Sample Calculation:
Throat cross-sectional area = 0.25πD2
Trial 2
= 0.25π (0.01)2 = 7.85 x 10-5 m2
Pipe cross-sectional area = 0.25πD2
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics II Experiment No. 7
Laboratory Report

Qa = Volume / Time = 0.006m3 / 25.42s Qt = A1vt = 0.75 (3.14x10-4)

= 2.36 x 10-4 m3/s
= 2.355x10-4 m3/s

Actual Velocity = Qa / Athroat

Venturi Meter Percent Error
= 2.36x10-4 / 3.14x10-4 = 0.75m/s
= |2.36x10-4–2.36x10-4| * 100 / (2.36x10-4)
h = 0.348 – 0.086 = 0.262 m = 0%

Head Loss = 0.348 – 0.252 = 0.096m

2 gh

2( 9.81)(0.262)
√
Theoretical Velocity = A 1 2
( ) −1
A2 Coefficient of Discharge = Qa / Qt
= (2.36x10-4) / (2.36x10-4) = 1.0
=
√
(
3.14 x 10−4 2
0.785 x 10−4
) −1
= 0.59 m/s
Average Coefficient of Discharge
= (Cd1 + Cd2 + Cd3) / 3
= (1.01 + 1 + 1) / 3
= 1.003

8. Discussion of Results

Based from the results obtained from the experiment, we can notice the difference in the
pressure heads between three points in the venturimeter. These points are the inlet, throat, and
outlet. We can also notice that the pressure head at the outlet is slightly lower than the pressure
head at the inlet. We can clearly notice that the pressure head varies with velocity. This proves
the validity of the Bernoulli’s Equation. The data we obtained are not 100% accurate and have
errors. These errors may come from natural causes or it may be from human error especially in
reading the calibrations.

9. Conclusion

Based from the data obtained from the experiment, we can conclude that the principle of
the venturimeter is accurate. We can notice the difference in pressure heads between the three
points that corresponds to its volume flow rate. We can see that the pressure head drops at the
throat and then quickly recovers at the outlet. This means that the volume flow rate at the throat
increases as the cross-sectional area decreases since the relationship between these two are
inversely proportional. By applying the Bernoulli’s Equation, we can calculate for the volume
flow rate. We can also see the relationship between the velocity and the volume flow rate which
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics II Experiment No. 7
Laboratory Report

is directly proportional. It can be noticed when collecting a specific volume with its recorded
time.

10. Documentation

Acquiring the data Measuring discharge